Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman is working to package the No. 16 pick with other assets to move up in the draft. The front office has explored deals that would land a second selection inside the top 10. Kleiman has a track record of executing such moves when the price aligns with available resources.

The Grizzlies hold a surplus of picks that includes the potential to attach a 2027 first-round selection. That package could target the middle of the top 10, where the cost rises sharply. Memphis could still retain flexibility for future drafts while adding immediate talent at a position of need.

Wagler projects as a primary ball-handler who could take over lead duties if the team moves on from Ja Morant. His skill set outpaces several players slotted ahead of him in the 5-7 range, yet the steep price required to reach him in the middle of the top 10 makes the deal less efficient than lower-cost alternatives. The depth of this year's class gives Memphis options to find value without overpaying.

Acuff surged late in the college season with strong performances in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. He checks multiple boxes as a scoring lead guard with superstar potential on offense, though his size and defensive limitations create clear risks in a switch-heavy scheme. Those concerns could push his cost down enough for the Grizzlies to pounce if a top-10 team wavers.

Kleiman has traded up before when the draft class offers depth and the roster needs a specific archetype. The current board provides multiple options that fit the backcourt mold, and the extra picks give Memphis leverage that few teams possess. Rivals with earlier selections may hesitate to part with them unless the offer includes future capital that protects their own flexibility.

The next window for movement opens once teams finalize their boards ahead of the draft. Memphis could execute a deal in the days leading into the event or on draft night itself if a top-10 team becomes motivated to drop. Any agreement would hinge on whether the return justifies surrendering the 2027 asset alongside the 16th pick. Landing a second top-10 selection would reshape the Grizzlies' timeline by adding another high-upside guard to pair with existing pieces and accelerate their contention window.